. Life and public services of Hon. Wm. E. Gladstone . , by disturbing our peace, destroys confidence, andstrikes at the root of prosperity. Thus it has done already ; andthus, we must therefore believe, it will do. For the mitigation of these evils, we must, I think, look notonly to particular measures, but to the restoration of soundergeneral principles. I mean especially that principle on whichalone the incorporation of Religion with the State in our Con-stitution can be defended ; that the duties of governers are strict-ly and peculiarly religious j and that legislatures, like individ-uals,
. Life and public services of Hon. Wm. E. Gladstone . , by disturbing our peace, destroys confidence, andstrikes at the root of prosperity. Thus it has done already ; andthus, we must therefore believe, it will do. For the mitigation of these evils, we must, I think, look notonly to particular measures, but to the restoration of soundergeneral principles. I mean especially that principle on whichalone the incorporation of Religion with the State in our Con-stitution can be defended ; that the duties of governers are strict-ly and peculiarly religious j and that legislatures, like individ-uals, are bound to carry throughout their acts the spirit of thehigh truths they have acknowledged. Principles are now array-ed against our institutions ; and, not by truckling nor by tempor-ising, not by oppression nor corruption, but hy principles theymust be met. Among their first results should be a sedulous and special at-tention to the interests of the poor, founded upon the rule thatthose who are the least able to take care of themselves should be. The Beginning of Public Life. 55 most regarded by others. Particularly is it a duty to endeavor,by every means, that labor may receive adequate remuneration;which, unhappily among several classes of our fellow-country-men, is not now the case. Whatever measures—therefore, wheth-er by correction of the poor laws, allotment of cottage grounds,or otherwise—tend to promote tbis object, I deem entitled to ihzwarmest support; with all such as are calculated to secui^sound moral conduct in any class of society. I proceed to the momentous question of slavery, which I havefound entertained among you, in that candid and temperate spiritwhich alone befits its nature, or promises to remove its difficul-ties. If I have not recognized the right of an irresponsible so-ciety to interpose between me and the electors, it has not beenfrom any disrespect to its members, nor from any unwillingnessto answer their or any other questions on which the
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